Caldecott Medal Contender: Elizabeth, Queen of the Seas

The people of Christchurch, New Zealand considered their former commonwealth’s Queen Elizabeth as someone who was strong, powerful and of course regal. They thought the same things about a resident silvery brown elephant seal who against all odds swam in the “sweet, shallow” waters of Avon River that ran through the center of the city. When she wore herself out she’s use her flippers to access the shore, and nap in the sunshine, cooling herself by flipping big clumps of wet mud onto her back. She is soon befriended by a boy named Michael who looks for this wondrous mammal enroute and on the way home from school every day, often calling out “Elizabeth! Hello, Elizabeth, Queen of the Seas! Are you there?” When he was lucky he’d be recipient to a snort and a look from her dark brown eyes. But then things in Christchurch got hairy, when Elizabeth ventured beyond the riverbank to dangerously stretch out across a two-lane road, much appreciating the warmth from above and below. After one car swerves into a rock and another barely misses her back flippers, she slides down the riverbank, belly-flopping into the water. But the near-miss sets in motion a story of watery transience that finally ends on a happy note. The renowned long-distance swimmer and adult author Lynne Cox teamed up with the Caldecott Medal winning illustrator Brian Floca to bring the emotional and inspiring story loosely based on a real-life situation to exquisite fruition in Elizabeth, Queen of the Seas.

After the near-tragedy on the street, a group of volunteers delicately loop a rope around Elizabeth and tow her down the Avon River despite the protestations of Michael, leaving her off on a sandy beach where other elephant seals reside. But then, as Cox asserts:

Maybe it was because the beach was too crowded and noisy, maybe she missed Christchurch, or maybe there was some other reason that we can never know, but Elizabeth chose not to stay. Instead the Queen of the Seas turned around and made herself as streamlined as possible, tucking her front flippers close in to her sides so that she could move swiftly through the water. Back across the cold open ocean she swam….and into the Sweet Avon River. Still on she swam, past the wispy willow trees that lined the shore, until she reached her favorite sunbathing spot by the bridge. There she hauled herself out onto the riverbank and lay across the warm road.

Floca’s wistful double page green and willow tree spread is wholly sublime, one of the most arresting in the book. Michael excitedly acknowledges Elizabeth’s return, and others from around Christchurch run or bike their way to see her, with some wielding cameras. Soon after, the boat crew again drags her up river to a location much further away from the city than the last place. Again, the miraculous seal makes her way back, greeting Michael with her all too familiar snorting. For the final time, she is towed hundreds of miles from the city, and boards upon a rock as the boat heads back. Three months pass, and there is no sign of Elizabeth, though Michael’s wishing to the stars results in seeming spiritual intervention. Elizabeth again defies all the geographical logistics and returns to her beloved Christchurch and is first seen under the bridge, where Michael joylessly proclaims “Welcome home, Elizabeth!” The celebratory spread that is framed by the unified greeting “Welcome home, Queen of the Seas!” is another of Floca’s illustrative gems, as it showcases the elephant seal’s blissful watery frolic, seen by by dozens of overjoyed onlookers from the bridge and by a few others on a small passing boat. Again the willows work their aesthetic magic. After seeing her amazing resilience the people realize Elizabeth belongs in Christchurch. In a series of lovely meteorological vignettes that visualize what people pondered about her seemingly perilous trip through waves, strong currents and nocturnal obstacles, Elizabeth’s return is put forth in terms that make her voyage a near-impossibility. The next to last tapestry is a real stunner – one of the most beautiful in any picture book this year. Cox frames it poetically:

And they like to imagine that at last, when she reached the mouth of the Avon River, she swam upon a stream of moonlight until she reached the shore.

The starry night, looking down on a silvery river that runs through the middle of willowy magnificence is pure visual poetry, and one of Floca’s most exquisite tapestries ever. Elizabeth’s future in Christchurch was hereby assured to the delight of its adoring natives.

Floca has often said that when you have a great manuscript (Cox’s is a real winner that connects with all readers young and old) the art falls into place. His numerous illustrations, terrific used by cursive writing, and a light and wistful touch has resulted in one of the most captivating picture books of the year, and one that has well earned Caldecott attention. Surely a study in contrast with Locomotive, but no less assured.

Note: This is the fiftieth (and final) entry in the 2014 Caldecott Medal Contender series. The series does not purport to predict what the committee will choose, rather it attempts to gauge what the writer feels should be in the running. In most instances the books that are featured in the series have been touted as contenders in various online round-ups, but for the ones that are not, the inclusions are a humble plea to the committee for consideration. It is anticipated the series will include at least 40 titles; the order which they are being presented in is arbitrary, as every book in this series is a contender. Some of my top favorites of the lot will be done near the end. The awards will be announced on February 2nd, hence the reviews will continue to the end of January.

Aye John, that last illustration is a masterpiece for sure. I am not at all surprised this book has pulled you in. The story is poignant and inspiring and the art wholly sublime. Thanks as always for the very kind words my friend! Yes this would be quite the place to visit indeed!

Top Clicks

Wonders in the Dark is a blog dedicated to the arts, especially film, theatre and music. An open forum is highly encouraged, as the site proctors are usually ready and able to engage with ongoing conversation.